Rice Owls Hosting the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Week 5 Odds and Betting Pick

Rice Stadium features a battle between the host Rice Owls and the visiting Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in college football betting action Saturday.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

The Rice Owls were sitting as 5-point underdogs earlier in the week at Sportsbook. The total was to be set a bit later in the week for over under betting purposes.

Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at Odds Shark pick a 34-25 result in favor of the Hilltoppers. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Rice Owls Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

Rice will face the 3-1 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, who own a 2-1-1 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Rice Owls are 4-0 so far this season while the Hilltoppers are 2-1-1. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Rice vs Western Kentucky injuries news.

The Rice Owls sit at No. 71 in the current College Football Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, while the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are at No. 32 on that chart.

Statistical Matchup

The game also pits Rice's No. 45-ranked offense, averaging 34.75 PPG, against a Western Kentucky defense that ranks No. 72 this week at 25.5 PPG. The Rice aerial game is averaging 225.25 yards per game, less than the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers secondary allows through the air, 274.25 YPG per game.

In comparing defenses, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers own the league's No. 95-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 230 yards per game when on the road. Rice, on the other hand, rates No. 5 this week in generating rushing yards at home.